Purdue fans react to the firing of defensive coordinator Bob Diaco

Bob Diaco’s days in West Lafayette are over.

The program announced it has parted ways with Diaco, who was hired to be Jeff Brohm’s defensive coordinator just one year ago.

Remarkably, Diaco has now coached at five schools in the last five seasons: UConn, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Louisiana Tech and Purdue.

It’s also been an era marred by turnover for the Boilermakers. Brohm’s replacement defensive coordinator will be his third in three seasons. Diaco replaced Nick Holt, who is now coaching in Italy.

Diaco’s defense started off well, but faltered down the stretch. Purdue gave up 37 points in back-to-back losses against Rutgers and Nebraska to end the season.

It didn’t help that start pass rusher George Karlaftis only played in two games this season, but still, the scheme wasn’t working for Diaco.

Purdue especially had trouble defending the pass this season, as it ranked No. 13 in the Big Ten in passing yards per game allowed.

The Boilermakers’ season is over pending a bowl invitation. They went 2-4 in the 2020 campaign.

Here’s some of the reaction from Purdue fans and media to Diaco’s exit:

Bob Diaco's last 5 years:

2016: UConn (HC)
2017: Nebraska
2018: Oklahoma
2019: Louisiana Tech
2020: Purdue

This guy has to be the best job interviewer on the planet

— Russell Steinberg (@Russ_Steinberg) December 17, 2020

Per his contract, Diaco will be due a buyout of about $675,000, depending on whether ongoing pandemic reduction is applied and with amount subject to duty to mitigate and offset https://t.co/e8iy2MAvuD

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) December 17, 2020

I’m not surprised that Bob Diaco continues to get fired, I’m more shocked that somehow he continues to get hired https://t.co/Uoecn8nh91

— tyler (@tylerscott) December 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/DuffHammer1017/status/1339590337279320072

Notre Dame is 100% about to bring Bob Diaco back at defensive coordinator

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) December 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/BigRedFanatics/status/1339586804115107840

I think Bob Diaco will go down in history as a misunderstood genius https://t.co/t3p04TT29o

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) December 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/MitchS91/status/1339588189388861441

2 things can be true. 1) Bob Diaco's scheme was not working and 2) it is troubling that Brohm cannot find a good defensive coordinator. This has all the same feels as Lovie Smith not being able to find an offensive coordinator for years

— Dustin Eenigenburg (@DustinEburg) December 17, 2020

👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/3b6nxkIB5L

— Fire Bob Diaco (@firebobdiaco) December 17, 2020

Bob Diaco and Brian VanGorder: Broyles Award winners who almost immediately lost their way

— Matt Smith (@MattSmithCFB) December 17, 2020

Bob Diaco done at Purdue per press release.

That’s rather quick. Almost he was hired to be fired. pic.twitter.com/8wFgbgKczn

— Corn Nation (@CornNation) December 17, 2020

THEY FIRED BOB DIACO

— Isaac A. T. Lindell (@isaactlindell) December 17, 2020

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.